This may surprise you, but I probably make more vegan desserts than non-vegan ones. That’s because they’re so reliable, and I don’t have to worry about serving them to friends with dietary restrictions or allergies. Plus, with a few simple vegan baking staples, you really can’t taste the difference! Since I have so many on the blog, I decided to make a roundup of some of my (and your) favorite recipes that’ll satisfy your sweet tooth without skimping on flavor.
Vegan cookies and dessert bars
Nothing quite satisfies my sweet tooth craving, like freshly baked cookies or brownies. Each of these recipes is quick to make and doesn’t sacrifice flavor or texture.
Diet and allergy-friendly. This may seem like a no-brainer, but making desserts vegan means they’re instantly egg and dairy-free, which is great if you’re hosting or need a dessert to satisfy a wide variety of dietary restrictions. Cheaper. Ever since I started making my desserts at home, my budget has thanked me! And healthier, too. Vegan treats are notorious for being sugar-laden and heavy on seed oils and fillers. When you make desserts from scratch, you get the final say in what goes into them.
Vegan chocolate chip cookies– One of my all-time favorite vegan cookie recipes, made with simple ingredients and, of course, plenty of vegan chocolate chips. Vegan blondies– Honestly, these are my best blondies yet, and they happen to be accidentally vegan! Vegan Girl Scout cookies– Why wait until Girl Scout season when you can make Tagalongs with a moment’s notice? Vegan brownies– Of course, I couldn’t include a list of vegan-friendly desserts and NOT include brownies! With gooey, fudgy centers and crackling tops, these are the best brownies ever. Vegan meringue cookies: Instead of eggs, I use aquafaba, which is canned chickpea water. The result is light, crisp, perfectly sweetened ‘meringue’ cookies. Sweet potato brownies– I used mashed sweet potatoes instead of eggs to get rich, smooth, decadent brownies that also happen to be flourless, grain-free, and free of refined sugar. Apple blondies– Naturally sweetened with apples, this is my go-to blondie recipe whenever I’m hosting or need a birthday treat.
Vegan frozen treats
There are a lot of vegan ice cream brands on the market, but I’ll be honest: most of them miss the mark on either flavor or texture. Since I learned how to make vegan ice cream at home, I’ve stopped buying it completely!
Vegan ice cream cake– Moist, fluffy chocolate cake layered with vegan ice cream. I know these are usually reserved for birthday parties, but life is too short not to make this tonight! Strawberry ice cream– Made with three ingredients, this no-churn ice cream is smooth, creamy, and wildly refreshing. Coconut ice cream– My creamiest ice cream recipe yet, made with 3 ingredients and endlessly customizable. Healthy popsicles– This is my go-to healthy snack or sweet treat. Made with seasonal fruit, it’s easy to customize and adjust the sweetness to your liking. Almond milk milkshake– We make a lot of milkshakes come summertime, and this one is my favorite. I’ve included the base recipe plus 5 equally delicious flavors.
Fruity vegan desserts
Each of these recipes uses fruit as the starring ingredient and tastes just as good (if not better) than the non-vegan versions!
Vegan blueberry pie– Made with flaky pastry and juicy blueberries, no one (and I mean no one) will be able to tell this is 100% vegan-friendly. Vegan lemon cake– Sweet, tangy, and full of refreshing lemon flavor, this cake recipe is easy to make and even easier to eat! Lemon coconut bars– Made with a chewy lemon bar base, tangy lemon curd, and an addictive crumb topping, these lemon bars are out of the ordinary yet filled with flavors everyone will love. Vegan strawberry cake– I blend fresh strawberries directly into the batter to make a light, fluffy, moist cake that’s even better with a dollop of frosting. Strawberry cookies– Made with rolled oats and naturally sweetened with bananas, these strawberry cookies are delicious yet healthy enough to have for breakfast!
Vegan pies, cakes, and sweetbreads
Cakes and sweetbreads can often be the trickiest desserts to make vegan since they rely on egg and butter to stay moist and become fluffy. Luckily, these recipes use foolproof egg substitutes to give them the perfect texture.
Vegan chocolate cake– Made in one bowl and baked in under 30 minutes, this foolproof cake recipe is a no-brainer. Chocolate babka– This is one of my family’s favorite sweetbread recipes, featuring a fluffy brioche bread base, ribbons of chocolate, and an addictive chocolate crumble topping. Vegan cheesecake– Made with no tofu OR cashews, this cheesecake is undeniably creamy and quick to make. Vegan cinnamon rolls– Soft, pillowy centers, crispy on the outside, filled with a fragrant spiced sugar, and topped with a creamy frosting; what’s not to love? Vegan banana bread– A foolproof banana bread recipe that makes perfect use of those leftover bananas. Sticky pudding– Crisp on the outside yet ultra gooey and soft on the inside, this sticky toffee pudding is sure to impress. Healthy peach cobbler– Made with fresh or canned peaches and covered with a gorgeous biscuit topping, it just so happens to be vegan AND gluten-free.
No-bake vegan desserts
We make a LOT of no-bake recipes in my house, and as you can imagine, most of them are naturally vegan without even trying. Plus, they each pull double duty as gluten-free, too.
Avocado chocolate mousse– Made with avocados, coconut cream, cocoa powder, and a hint of maple syrup, this mousse recipe MELTS in your mouth! Vegan cookie dough– Because, let’s be honest, we all eat cookie dough out of the bowl even though we’re not supposed to. I also adore my chickpea cookie dough. Bounty bars– If you love Almond Joys, you’re going to love this almond-free version. Made with creamy coconut coated in dark chocolate, they’re seriously addictive. Salted caramel fudge– Unlike traditional fudge, this recipe is made with no condensed milk, no white chocolate, and no candy thermometer. Carrot cake bars– Featuring a carrot and pumpkin base with the perfect balance of warming spices and a tangy cream cheese frosting. No-bake peanut butter balls– Made with 3 ingredients and ready in minutes.
More recipe collections
Dairy-free breakfast recipes Keto vegan recipes Whole30 desserts Best flourless desserts
Originally published March 2022, updated and republished July 2024
